C♯ augmented uses C♯, D♯♯, E♯, G♯, G♯♯, B♯. Box 1 keeps the root on string 5, fret 4 for a low-position shape.
C♯ augmented uses C♯, D♯♯, E♯, G♯, G♯♯, B♯. Box 1 keeps the root on string 5, fret 4 for a low-position shape.
C♯ augmented derives from C♯ harmonic minor by raising the fourth degree, F♯, to F♯♯. The intervals are 1, ♯2, 3, 5, ♯5, 7, with step pattern 1½, H, 1½, H, 1½, H. Compare with C♯ harmonic minor to hear the raised fourth. The scale contains augmented triads C♯–E♯–G♯♯ and E♯–G♯♯–B♯.
Use C♯ augmented over C♯ major or C♯ minor chords for a raised fifth. It fits C♯ major or C♯ minor. Also use over E augmented and G♯ augmented chords.
Practise Box 1 first. The root on string 5, fret 4 anchors the shape and leads to Box 2.
C♯ augmented in box 1 runs from fret 0 to fret 3, 12 notes across 6 strings, from D♯♯ on the low E string at fret 0 up to E♯ on the high e string at fret 1. The root falls on the B string at fret 2.
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 0, 1 | D♯♯, E♯ |
| 5 (A) | 0, 3 | G♯♯, B♯ |
| 4 (D) | 2, 3 | D♯♯, E♯ |
| 3 (G) | 1, 2 | G♯, G♯♯ |
| 2 (B) | 1, 2 | B♯, C♯ |
| 1 (e) | 0, 1 | D♯♯, E♯ |
C♯ augmented in box 2 runs from fret 4 to fret 7, 12 notes across 6 strings, from G♯ on the low E string at fret 4 up to G♯♯ on the high e string at fret 5. The root falls on the A string at fret 4 and the G string at fret 6.
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 4, 5 | G♯, G♯♯ |
| 5 (A) | 4, 7 | C♯, D♯♯ |
| 4 (D) | 6, 7 | G♯, G♯♯ |
| 3 (G) | 5, 6 | B♯, C♯ |
| 2 (B) | 5, 6 | D♯♯, E♯ |
| 1 (e) | 4, 5 | G♯, G♯♯ |
C♯ augmented in box 3 runs from fret 9 to fret 12, 12 notes across 6 strings, from C♯ on the low E string at fret 9 up to D♯♯ on the high e string at fret 12. The root falls on the low E string at fret 9, the D string at fret 11 and the high e string at fret 9.
| String | Frets | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 9, 12 | C♯, D♯♯ |
| 5 (A) | 11, 12 | G♯, G♯♯ |
| 4 (D) | 10, 11 | B♯, C♯ |
| 3 (G) | 9, 10 | D♯♯, E♯ |
| 2 (B) | 9, 10 | G♯, G♯♯ |
| 1 (e) | 9, 12 | C♯, D♯♯ |
Every chord here uses only notes from the scale. Tap one to open it.
The notes are C♯, D♯♯, E♯, G♯, G♯♯, B♯. It has six notes with intervals 1, ♯2, 3, 5, ♯5, 7. The scale is not heptatonic. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Play it over C♯ major or C♯ minor chords. The ♯5 adds tension. It also works over E augmented and G♯ augmented chords.
C♯ harmonic minor has a natural fourth, F♯. C♯ augmented raises that to F♯♯. This creates an augmented second between E♯ and F♯♯.